The Unknown Known

It is difficult for me to believe only twelve short months ago I was in the middle of pondering whether or not I should venture into unknown and frightening territory by joining the TNT Cycle Team.

As the first team meeting of 2013 approaches, I find myself looking back on that time and I feel the same shiver of doubt course down my spine. I feel the same excitement. And, though I’ve already gone through one season of all of this, I feel the same anxiety and fear of the unknown.

After all, there is always ‘the unknown.’

What I took from the first go around has been invaluable, however. I am beginning this season with friends and acquaintances alike – all of whom completed the journey with me once. Some of whom were friends long before I signed on the dotted line with a shaking hand in January of last year.

This year, when it came time to sign my name again and vow to devote the next sixteen weekends and many week nights to training, I did not hesitate.

Too many of us have had to face Cancer in at least one way, shape or form. Whether it has affected ourselves, family, friends, co-workers or acquaintances. We’ve all seen what it can do.

We all want to see a cure or, for the time being and at the very least, consistently successful treatment choices that will not cause negative side effects. Side effects which can physically impact survivors for the rest of their lives.

My TNT teammates across the country and I have raised over $1.3 billion for life saving cancer research therapies that are continuing to save lives today.

The next twelve months may not seem as short as the last. That is yet another unknown. What I do know is we are making a difference in this fight. And, no matter how shaky my hand is while I sign away my time to participate, I know it will be worth the venture outside my comfort zone.